Getting 'paid to practice'

[Methos1979]

Pre-pandemic we were playing semi-regularly at a few restaurants and had just started playing at an assisted living center before the world shut down. We retired in December of 2021 and made the conscious decision to really try to break into the Assisted Living Circuit (ALC) locally. Our timing was spot-on. Many musicians that had previously done so were not coming back (or at least slow to do so) and so we found our cold calls to these places were actually returned and gigs were booked. Our shows and material were met with near universal acclaim. Word spread quickly (turns out these places talk to each other) and we're now up to playing 22 residences regularly, booking between 2-5 shows a week.

These shows are GREAT. A small-to-medium number of adorable and attentive residents, plus staff, that are actually listening and loving our performances. So much so that we lagged putting ourselves back out there for 'normal' gigs at the few restaurants we used to play. But we had some push back from our friends and former work colleagues asking when we were going to play some shows for them to attend so we reached out and booked several of which we've now played a few. But what we found was that NO ONE attended!. Well, one couple came to the first show. But out of several who planned or were interested in attending (as noted via the Facebook event posting) almost none followed through.

Couple that with those that were in attendance paying little-to-no attention (which is usually the case at a restaurant) AND playing twice as long for the same money we get for playing the ALC and we find ourselves wondering why we even bothered to book these gigs at all. But now that we're retired and living on a fixed income (during an economic downturn with rampant inflation soaring, no less) we find that these gigs are part of our retirement 'side hustle' that actually is helping pay some bills so we're back and forth on whether to book more and trying to expand that base.

We call these shows, "Getting paid to practice." Anyone else out there feel this way about the shows they play in restaurants or (shudder) pubs?

[k_russell]

Just the kind of good news that I wanted to read this morning. May your success continue.

[musicman1951]

I no longer play in a group, but back in the day I would occasionally play a gig like this, or at least part of the gig. They're not the best, but if you like making music with your group they can have their own charm. You sort of become the audience for the other players in the group.

[Jamolay]

I would think the restaurant owners would be the ones most frustrated.

I am not in the gigging side of this, but my thought is that the restauranteur hopes that your presence will eventually improve business. If it doesn’t pan out, they will eventually stop hiring you or anyone.

In the meantime, it is good practice , helps pay the bills and keeps the economy going. Why not?

[leew3]

in short, yes. Rokdog and I have begun to get booked for private parties. Thus far it's been an election celebration, birthday party, etc. These have felt like being a live juke box as the attendees are engaged in conversations, celebration, mingling, so there is very limited feedback in terms of applause. However, in each case the after gig response has been very warm and enthusiastic. We've been given very generous tips by the parties that hired us (I haven't put out the tip jar at a private event as that seemed potentially offensive to our patrons). Additionally, we've been recognized at some of our 'regular' gigs by people who attended these parties. To your other point, I've frequently posted on the AGF on the joys of Assisted Living gigs so join you in celebrating them as well.

[Mr. Jelly]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

We call these shows, "Getting paid to practice." Anyone else out there feel this way about the shows they play in restaurants or (shudder) pubs?

It's the nature of the beast. I saw Ricky Scaggs right after he'd won some major awards play to an embarrassingly small audience years ago. It happens. First you are up and then you're down. Another drop of water and you think you're gonna drown.

[Goat Mick]

I played a lot of Nursing Home gigs before the pandemic and really enjoyed it. Usually make $100-$150 for a 1 hour show and everyone was glad to see me every time I came in. But when the pandemic hit, my company took away my ability to work 4 - 10's so I no longer had an extra afternoon each week to play these gigs. I've always played bar and restaurant gigs so I've just upped the number of those that I'm playing. It's more work but there is more money to be made too. A lot of these do feel like I'm practicing or at best playing to the walls, but I can always find that someone is actually listening. What I do to keep myself from getting bored and going nuts is search to find the one person or table that is listening and start talking to them and joking with them between songs. Usually after I start interacting with one table, another table will join in, and then another and so on. I have found that if I try, I can make most gigs very enjoyable to play, if not I give it 110% and use it to improve my skills on songs so yeah, paid practice.

[catndahats]

All I can add is that it's great you've found a niche (the ALC) that is good for you and a welcoming audience---cheers!

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by musicman1951

I no longer play in a group, but back in the day I would occasionally play a gig like this, or at least part of the gig. They're not the best, but if you like making music with your group they can have their own charm. You sort of become the audience for the other players in the group.

The 'we' in our duo is my wife and I and you are correct in this. When we're getting nothing from the 'crowd' of patrons we tend to focus on each other a lot to keep the performance juices flowing. I can't imagine what being a solo act must be like with nothing and no one to focus on.

Originally Posted by Jamolay

I would think the restaurant owners would be the ones most frustrated.

I am not in the gigging side of this, but my thought is that the restauranteur hopes that your presence will eventually improve business. If it doesn’t pan out, they will eventually stop hiring you or anyone.

In the meantime, it is good practice , helps pay the bills and keeps the economy going. Why not?

I think with regard to restaurants (unlike pubs) you are there to add something a little special to the ambience of the place. The 'draw' of a restaurant is (and should be) their food with live entertainment being a plus to set them apart from others without it. I agree that it's good practice and in essence, free money. Again, paid to practice!

Originally Posted by Goat Mick

I played a lot of Nursing Home gigs before the pandemic and really enjoyed it. Usually make $100-$150 for a 1 hour show and everyone was glad to see me every time I came in. But when the pandemic hit, my company took away my ability to work 4 - 10's so I no longer had an extra afternoon each week to play these gigs. I've always played bar and restaurant gigs so I've just upped the number of those that I'm playing. It's more work but there is more money to be made too. A lot of these do feel like I'm practicing or at best playing to the walls, but I can always find that someone is actually listening. What I do to keep myself from getting bored and going nuts is search to find the one person or table that is listening and start talking to them and joking with them between songs. Usually after I start interacting with one table, another table will join in, and then another and so on. I have found that if I try, I can make most gigs very enjoyable to play, if not I give it 110% and use it to improve my skills on songs so yeah, paid practice.

We do the same - find that one person or table that actually is listening/paying attention and 'work' them. Another problem is that restaurants are still not at full capacity yet, at least ones we play. It's really hit or miss. We played an open mic on a Wednesday evening at a new BBQ place in town and it was packed and not because of the open mic. So we schmoozed the owner and got a gig and played there on a Saturday evening and the place was dead. Go figure. We also take into account that it's summer and a lot of people are preferring to do outside things when it stays light so late, so there's that as well.

[raysachs]

I’m afraid if I started playing nursing home gigs, I’d just be sending some of those nice old folks (which I’m rapidly becoming one of myself) to an earlier grave…

-Ray

[Rick Jones]

I remember in the UK during the pandemic, that the government put out these horribly insensitive posters suggesting people in creative, performance or entertainment fields retrain in 'cyber'.



Anyway, here in Jersey, they decided to try and encourage , and upon re-opening, they issued many small venues with 'entertainments licenses' that mean that if they have a 'pub' licence that normally means 11pm closing, they are permitted to stay open to 1am on the condition that they have some kind of live performance that can be a single entertainer or a duo (bands of a trio or more are only granted the stay-open rules in actual music venues). It can be a DJ, comedy act but is most often musicians.

This got me back on the circuit, and the crowds were great at first as people made up for the year or more of no bars or socialising.

But now it's quietened off and a lot of my gigs are still booked (the venues have to have a performer to stay open late) but we don't see so much of a crowd. I do use these kind of gigs to 'practice' and try new gear or new material. As another poster further up mentioned, however, it can't continue economically if the customers aren't coming, and the end of the summer season might put paid to the current agreement, and many of these gigs with it.

Interesting (and very cool) to read about the assisted living circuit where you are. I play at nursing homes (I try to do one a month) but these are never paid gigs where I live. They are, however, such attentive and kind audiences that it's a pleasure to play them. I particularly like it when I get trad songs recognised and people join in on the choruses... it feels like folk clubs again!

[rllink]

When I lived in Puerto Rico, I lived a few blocks from the Malecon which is a walk way between two old forts that went back the second voyage of Columbus. It is run by the National Parks Service. I lived in a condo and in the afternoons I would go out there and sit on the wall to practice so I didn't wake up the neighbor's little kid napping. Tourists would walk by and I would just tune them out. One day a lady stuck a ten dollar bill in my glass from a drink that I brought out with me. The next day I brought out a jar and put it on the wall next to me. I would make thirty or forty dollars every time I went out just sitting on the wall practicing. And smiling, smiling helps with the tips.

That's how I got addicted to busking. I haven't been out doing it since the pandemic and I really should. We sold the place in PR but there are plenty of opportunities if I would just get off my rear and take advantage of them. I've been thinking of getting on the senior center circuit. I know a couple of musicians that are doing that. Seems like a good way to share one's music.

[Jamolay]

Originally Posted by raysachs

I’m afraid if I started playing nursing home gigs, I’d just be sending some of those nice old folks (which I’m rapidly becoming one of myself) to an earlier grave…

-Ray

Or be the oldest one there…

[Jamolay]

Originally Posted by rllink

When I lived in Puerto Rico, I lived a few blocks from the Malecon which is a walk way between two old forts that went back the second voyage of Columbus. It is run by the National Parks Service. I lived in a condo and in the afternoons I would go out there and sit on the wall to practice so I didn't wake up the neighbor's little kid napping. Tourists would walk by and I would just tune them out. One day a lady stuck a ten dollar bill in my glass from a drink that I brought out with me. The next day I brought out a jar and put it on the wall next to me. I would make thirty or forty dollars every time I went out just sitting on the wall practicing. And smiling, smiling helps with the tips.

That's how I got addicted to busking. I haven't been out doing it since the pandemic and I really should. We sold the place in PR but there are plenty of opportunities if I would just get off my rear and take advantage of them. I've been thinking of getting on the senior center circuit. I know a couple of musicians that are doing that. Seems like a good way to share one's music.

This is good to know. When my wife kicks me out on the street to practice, she is so sick of it, I will remember to bring a jar.

[Skip Ellis]

Would love to do assisted living venues but I don't sing so I doubt they would appreciate instrumental music. And don't tell me to start singing as I have no interest in it. The guitar is my 'voice' and I learned to play because I love the sound of the guitar; to me it's not something to accompany singing but a means to create music. I did notice that one of the local assisted living places had a harpist play for them recently, so maybe there's a chance. I have been approached to do it but not sure it would be appreciated. After 50 years playing in bands and theater orchestra, it's tough to become a solo act.